Insert Course Name Syllabus

Teacher: Mr. Jason Aceto
Office: 398 High Street
Office Phone: (207)233-4637
Office Hours:
Mon-Fri: 2:30-6:00pm
E-mail: jason.aceto@maine.edu

Summary of Unit

Students will understand issues surrounding the conditions which led to and began the conflict and subsequent interactions between the Spanish and Aztec Empires. Students will evaluate various sources that reference this event and evaluate the biases in the primary and secondary documents. Students will analyze the events that occured during the Spanish invasion of the Azetec Empire and relate it to cross cultural clashes today. Students will be able to describe significant characters in the Spanish invasion of Aztec lands such as Cortes, Motezuma, and many others.They will test their knowledge of how well they understand the issues and cosequences of Aztec/Spanish interactions. They will recognize the importance of understanding primary and secondary source biases along with the reason for such biases. This will be achieved with two blogging assingments, one video taped project, a ComicLife story board, a Garage Band recording, and a test over the unit. All of these tasks will require students to not only demonstrate their knowledge of the Aztec/Spanish conflict, but they must always relate this historical event to the present day. They must assess source biases and evaluate the events that transpired during the Spanish invansion. Products will be evaluated on accurate information, convincing evidence, reliable sources, creativity and quality.


Established Goals:
Maine Learning Results: Social Studies-E.History
E1 Historical knowledge, concepts, themes and patterns.
Grade 6-8 "The Expansion and Interaction of Civilizations, 600CE-1450CE"
Students understand major eras, major enduring themes, and historic influences in the history of the various regions of the world.
b. Identify and analyze major historic eras, major historical eras, major enduring themes, turning points, events, consequences, and people in the history of the various regions of the world.
Insert Stage 2 Performance Task Overview
Students Will Understand That:
The interactions between foreign civilizations has drastic implication on the cultures of both sides.
•The expansion of European civilizations led to the demise of influential indigenous cultures in the western hemisphere.
•The result of these interactions gave way for further expansion and conquests in later eras.

Essential Questions Are:

•How do the results of cross-cultural conflicts affect how we understand the past?
•Why were ideas like expansion and conquest the prevailing ideologies of the era between 600CE-1450CE?
•What were the consequences of European expansion?

Students Will Know:

•Important People and Events: Student will know important Spanish and Aztec rulers, crucial battles, bargains, conquests.
Key Factual Information: Students will know and understand the facts surrounding key conquests, battles, events and the rise of expansionism.
Sequences and Timelines: Students will understand the sequence of events from Spanish isolation to global expansion and conquests.

Students Will Be Able To:
• Explain why expansion and conquest were prevailing ideologies in this era (600CE-1450CE)
•Critique information about this time period and evaluate its objectivity.
•Identify and analyze major consequences, enduring themes, and people in this era.
•Create a timeline detailing the order of events during the Spanish exapnsion and conquests of the Aztec Empire.
•Consider the impact of Spanish expansion on later eras and how it relates to our world today.
•Evaluate the biases found in primary (ex. Conquistadors Journals) and secondary sources (textbooks, novels, etc.) to determine the truth surrounding the demise of the Aztec Empire.

Performance Task Overview:
You are a news reporter that has been sent back in time by the BBC to the year 1502 CE. You and your news team are required by the BBC to cover the Spanish invasion of the Aztec Empire. Your assignment is to send back weekly news reports to the modern day audience back in 2008 CE. These news reports are supposed to inform the general public of the cross cultural interactions and changes that are occurring within the cultures of the Spanish and Aztecs respectively. You must also relate this conflict to the issues we face in the moder world that arise from cross cultural interactions and clashes such as the global War on Terror.


Expectations

Arrive to class on time and be prepared for all classes. I will have all the necessary materials that were asked for to be brought to class, including: today's homework, notebook, textbooks, and writing utincels.
I will show respect for all people and property. I will keep my hands to myself, not touch anything that I do not have permission to touch, I will not talk when Mr. Aceto is talking, and I will respect the opinions and beliefs of all students in the class. I know that I am allowed to disagree, but I am not allowed to be disrespectful.
I will act in a safe and responsible manner. I will dress according to the school dress code.


Benchmarks


Below is the point value for each assessment and your grade will be based on the percent of points earned from the total points of 200.
Blogging Assingments (2 at 20 points each)
Video Taped News Report (1 at 40 points each)
ComicLife Story Board (1 at 40 points each)
Garage Band Music (1 at 20 points each)
Test (1 at 60 points each)

Grading Scale

A = 100-93
B = 92-85
C = 84-77
D = 76-70
F = 69 and below